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Deadline approaches for Arizona State Parks and Trails survey

Posted 10/18/19

The public has the chance to give feedback that will shape the future of trails throughout the state by taking a survey released by Arizona State Parks and Trails.

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Deadline approaches for Arizona State Parks and Trails survey

Posted

The public has the chance to give feedback that will shape the future of trails throughout the state by taking a survey released by Arizona State Parks and Trails.

Every five years, the ASPT is responsible for the completion of a Motorized and Non-motorized Trails Plan, which guides decision-making and resource allocation for motorized and non-motorized trails across the state.

It also aids the ASPT in developing scoring criteria for the distribution of grant funds for the Federal Recreational Trails Program and state generated Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund.

The deadline to submit feedback is Friday, Nov. 8. Click here for a direct link to the survey.

Click here for more information about the survey.

To draft the 2020 statewide Trails Plan, the ASPT is working with Partners in Brainstorm for oversight, direction, and input from a Trails Plan Work Group, which consists of public and private outdoor recreation professionals, trail users, and advocates representing a variety of organizations and use types across the state.

Throughout the process, the public is encouraged to take the quick recreation survey, provide feedback on the findings during the public comment period, and attend any of the Arizona State Committee on Trails (non-motorized) or Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (motorized) meetings to provide input.

Dawn Collins, chief of Resources and Public Programs at the ASPT, says data from survey-takers and land managers is used to generate statewide priorities for motorized and non-motorized trails in Arizona. These priorities are used by public land managing agencies to inform decision-making and resource allocation.

“The priorities generated by survey-takers and land managers also inform grant rating criteria for the distribution of the federal Recreational Trails Program, and the state Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund,” Ms. Collins says. “This ensures that both the public and land managers have an opportunity to influence how these monies are distributed, what types of projects are funded, etc.”

According to surveys conducted for the 2015 Trails Plan — the most recent plan — some of the concerns of both motorized and non-motorized trail users were:

Litter or trash dumping

In this case, the ASPT distributed grant award funds to groups such as Natural Restorations, who organize volunteer clean ups of motorized and non-motorized trailheads/trails. To date, they have removed 81.41 tons of trash from motorized trailheads, as a result of this funding.

In addition, safety and education grants from the Recreational Trails Program fund programs which encourage participants to recreate responsibly — including not to litter. Some incorporate Leave No Trace principles, like at Willowbend.

Erosion of trails

The Arizona State Parks and Trails set aside funding for both motorized and non-motorized trails for trail maintenance, which has consistently been a high priority for both Arizona residents and Arizona public land managers, Ms. Collins stated.

In the last four years, the ASPT has provided $375,092 for trail maintenance projects.

For the renovation of existing trails, two projects have been funded: the Maricopa Trail Foundation and the Arizona Trail Association will be providing trail maintenance training for stewardship of existing trails.

Damage to resources near trails

The ASPT manages the Site Steward program, an organization that recruits volunteers to monitor 2,404 archaeological and historical sites and to report vandalism or damage.

The ASPT also instituted a small, expedited grant program that provides funding for mitigation activities when damage has occurred to resources — both natural and cultural — near or on a trail.

“Again, education is key here,” Ms. Collins stated. “Arizona Game & Fish Department, for example, has received funds to support OHV recreation courses for both children and adults that focus on responsible riding, staying on trails, etc.”

Parks survey stats

The ASPT manages 35 state parks and natural areas. When asked which have seen the most changes over the last five to 10 years, Catalina and Lost Dutchman State Parks were most notable, with both being close to urban centers — Tucson and Phoenix, respectively.

“They have both seen their visitation increase, as the city grows out to meet/engulf them,” Ms. Collins said.

Ms. Collins said the ASPT is engaging in updating park master plans, which will include recommendations from the Trails Plans.

Parks along the “West Coast” — like Lake Havasu State Park and Cattail Cove State Park — are being upgraded and expanded. New park development at Havasu Riviera is also occurring.

Earlier this year, the ASPT added it’s first Memorial State Park to the system — Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park — in honor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots crew that perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013.

The completed 2020 Trails Plan will help identify the top concerns of Arizona’s trail recreation community, land managers, and recreation agencies. The plan aims to balance recreational use and natural and cultural resource protection. Recreation managers of cities, counties, the state and federal government organizations in Arizona use this information for specific recreation planning and budgeting.

When the 2015 plan was in the works, survey-takers were mostly 45 and older. According to the 2015 plan, the percentage of people taking the survey who were in the 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and 75+ age groups was greater than the same age group percentages using population estimates from the 2013 American Community Survey. Younger people were least likely to take the survey.

In addition, 57.2% of survey-takers were female, compared to a 50.2% female-population in Arizona. Retirees (42.2%) were also more likely to take the survey, compared to employed persons (29.3%) and stay-at-home parents (7.7%).

For information about all 35 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, trails, Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and State Historic Preservation Office, call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit azstateparks.com.